With the name of Jesse Thomas Cromwell, he definitely belongs in the world of Renaissance Faires. Playing old instruments of yore and singing ballads and bawdy tunes puts him on stage. This is Jesse’s favorite pastime, and things are going well until bagpiper James opens up a competition on a neighboring stage. Jesse becomes louder and bawdier until security comes and kicks him out.<br><br>Later James finds Jesse and apologizes for the ruckus. Together with a young lad whose faire gear was stolen and James’s niece, or maybe now nephew, they hatch a plan to get back into the Ren Faire. There are signs James isn’t altogether straight, but can Jesse answer that question in a satisfying way? Especially when they just might get thrown out of the faire again?

The Troubador

“Thank you,” James said with a bow, “We are from the Brotherhood of Jugglers, of which we shall never speak again, as they are still looking for the gold we stole from them, and, “here he pointed at Henry Eight, “their favorite wild lion, the most ferocious beast this side of Seattle, I mean, Rome.” Henry meowed in agreement, his tiny teeth glowing like liquid silver fangs in the sunlight. They were coated in tuna, but nobody had to know that.


Chapter 7